Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Clay Scroggins - Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church (Atlanta, GA) Intro to Clay Scroggins (0:45) Philosophy of preaching (3:56) Role of preaching in pastoral duties and identity (5:17) Preaching when you’re not the senior leader (7:43) How to Lead in a World of Distraction (12:26) Diagnosing distractions (14:32) Distraction and preaching (20:50) Preaching versus self-help talks (24:08) Favorite and/or most challenging preaching experience (30:23) Christmas Eve or Easter (31:23) Impactful communicators (31:57) Recommended resources (32:35) Connecting with Clay (33:50) Reaching out to our guest @clayscroggins (Twitter) @clayscroggins (Instagram) @ClayScrogginsAuthor (Facebook) ClayScroggins.com (Website) Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Art of the Sermon

Episode 71: How to Lead in a World of Distraction - An Interview with Clay Scroggins

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Permission to Go Short This Advent Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 70: Permission to Go Short This Advent

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Responding to Negative Feedback Michael Bierut and negative feedback (0:09) Michael's response (1:52) Acknowledge that the feedback is heard (2:38) Give a window into the intention (3:37) Be realistic about next steps (4:29) Offer positive reinforcement (5:17) Create a space for unity (6:23) Bonus tip: no one gets a full page (7:12) Next Episode arrives November 15, 2018! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 69: Responding to Negative Feedback

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Inside Out - A sermon based on the concepts in Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" 3 Year Anniversary (0:09) Intro to "Inside Out" (0:52) Is Pepsi ok? (4:47) Power of Coca-Cola (12:26) Start with why (14:25) The call of Jeremiah (22:21) Adapted golden circle (23:57) What happens when we sin? (28:59) Application to organizations (31:34) Greatest commandments as expressions of identity (33:47) World Communion Sunday (35:12) Next Episode arrives November 1, 2018! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 68: Inside Out

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Abby Norman - Pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church (Atlanta, GA) Intro to Abby Norman (0:41) Abby's story (2:09) Why is preaching important when you have influence elsewhere? (9:21) What is foundational to Abby's preaching (13:31) How preaching fits into Abby's pastoral identity and vocation (18:14) Choosing sermon topics (19:49) Evolution in Abby's preaching (21:41) Leaving the manuscript behind (26:14) Favorite and most challenging preaching experience (29:19) Christmas Eve or Easter (32:12) Impactful communicators (34:05) Recommended resources (38:32) Connecting with Abby (40:32) Reaching out to our guest @AbbyNormanSays (Twitter) @AbbyNormanSays (Instagram) @AbbyNormanSays (Facebook) AbbyNorman.net (Website) Next Episode arrives October 18! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 67: Replanting the Sermon - An Interview with Abby Norman

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing The anxiety of planning and writing sermons (0:10) Plan ahead (2:49) Match your planning to your personality (4:05) Focused time (6:22) Personal devotion and writing time (8:23) Capture ideas that capture you (10:10) Listen to your community (11:40) Remember God's faithfulness (13:12) Wrap up (14:56) Next episode arrives October 4, 2018! An interview with Abby Norman, Pastor at New Hope UMC (Atlanta, GA) and recently featured on the Start Up Podcast Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 66: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: The 3 Arcs Welcome back (0:10) Narrative Arc (3:28) Emotional Arc (8:05) Rhythmic Arc (14:30) Arcs across series (18:44) Next episode arrives September 20, 2018! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 65: The 3 Arcs

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Austin Channing Brown - Author, writer, and speaker Introduction to Austin (0:35) How and why Austin started work in racial reconciliation (3:52) Why "I'm Still Here" is a memoir (9:12) The importance and uniqueness of the voice of Black women (12:13) Helpful and unhelpful ways to lead conversations on race (16:12) Why some people of color turn down opportunities to teach or lead discussions (21:39) Natural communication takes hard work (28:58) How Austin curates her stories (31:04) Austin's growing edges (34:54) Most challenging project (37:18) Impactful communicators (38:19) Recommended resources (39:51) How to follow Austin (41:07) Reaching out to our guest @austinchanning (Twitter) @austinchanning (Instagram) @austinchanningbrown (Facebook) AustinChanning.com (Austin's website) Art of the Sermon is going on a short break and will return in Fall 2018 Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 64: I'm Still Here - An Interview with Austin Channing Brown

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Better Church Announcements Important Announcement (0:09) Church Announcements (4:12) 1. Use more channels (5:39) 2. Make the channels valuable (6:18) 3. Focus on the point, mission, or vision (7:10) 4. Tell a story (8:41) 5. Cut the details (9:24) 6. Clear call to action (10:25) 7. Consider the context (12:14) 8. Target specialized announcements (13:12) 9. Strategy and policies (14:06) 10. Worksheets or templates (15:01) Next Episode arrives May 17, 2018! An interview with Austin Channing Brown, Author and Speaker Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 63: Better Church Announcements

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Topic: Secrets of a Top 5 TED Talk Intro (0:13) Feeling comfortable (1:41) But not too comfortable (4:09) Passion plus familiarity (5:50) Focus on the "why" of what you're saying (7:19) Make a connection with the room (9:15) Being vulnerable (10:55) But not too vulnerable (12:38) Next Episode arrives May 3, 2018! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 62: Secrets of a Top 5 TED Talk

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Rev. Matt Miofsky - Lead Pastor of The Gathering (St. Louis, MO) Assessing preaching success and failure (0:32) Success goes to the head, failure to the heart (3:47) Preaching hard things (9:22) Most challenging preaching experience (16:13) Christmas Eve or Easter (17:14) Impactful communicators (18:36) Recommended resources (22:21) How to follow Matt (25:05) Reaching out to our guest @mmiofksy (Twitter) @mmiofksy (Instagram) @miofksy (Facebook) GatheringNow.org (Church website) Next Episode arrives April 19, 2018! Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 61: Success and Failure - An Interview with Rev. Matt Miofsky - Part 2

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Rev. Matt Miofsky - Lead Pastor of The Gathering (St. Louis, MO) Introduction to Matt (0:35) Why The Gathering grew early (3:26) Philosophy of preaching (8:20) The future of preaching (12:01) Where preaching falls in Matt's priorities (17:21) Act your size (19:05) Reaching out to our guest @mmiofksy (Twitter) @mmiofksy (Instagram) @miofksy (Facebook) GatheringNow.org (Church website) Next Episode arrives April 5, 2018! More with Rev. Matt Miofsky, Lead Pastor of The Gathering (St. Louis, MO) Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 60: Preaching and Church Growth - An Interview with Rev. Matt Miofsky - Part 1

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: David Van Biema - Author, Former Head Religion Writer for Time Introduction to David (1:22) Writing about prayer (2:35) Philosophy of communication (3:33) The history and rediscovery of the Prayer Wheel (4:32) Using the Prayer Wheel as a preaching tool (9:35) Decoding the Wheel (10:55) Historical development (14:05) Reverse engineering a medieval tool (17:51) Why was the Wheel lost? (19:56) Interactivity in prayer (22:07) Why the Prayer Wheel is helpful today (23:55) Why the Psalms still resonate (27:29) Honoring the Psalms as both Jewish and Christian texts (30:18) Most challenging communication experience (34:42) Impactful communicators (35:43) Recommended resources (37:34) How to follow David (39:01) Reaching out to our guest @DavidHVB (Facebook) The Prayer Wheel (Facebook Group) Next Episode arrives March 15, 2018! An interview with Rev. Matt Miofsky, Lead Pastor of The Gathering (St. Louis, MO) Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 59: The Prayer Wheel - An Interview with David Van Biema

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Rev. Justin Coleman - Lead Pastor, University United Methodist Church (Chapel Hill, NC) Introduction to Justin (0:47) Philosophy of communication (3:40) Justin's background (7:40) Cross-racial ministry (10:55) The role preaching played in Justin's call to ministry (14:48) How preaching fits into Justin's identity and role as a pastor (16:38) Preaching as a tool for vision and leadership (20:32) How Justin begins every sermon (26:01) Most challenging preaching experience (29:34) Easter or Christmas Eve (34:09) Impactful communicators (36:46) Recommended resources (39:49) How to follow Justin (42:08) Reaching out to our guest @RevColeman (Twitter) @justin.coleman7 (Facebook) UniversityUMC.church (Justin's church website) Next Episode arrives March 1, 2018! An interview with David Van Biema, Author and former head religion writer for Time Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 58: Identity and Preaching - An Interview with Rev. Justin Coleman

Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show! Guest: Robert Carnes - Author, Managing Editor for the Orange Group (Atlanta, GA) General Topic: Elements for Storytelling Introduction to Robert (0:32) Philosophy of communication (5:07) The Original Storyteller (6:45) Why storytelling is important (10:03) Why the recent focus on story? (13:18) Context is key (15:50) The missing element in many "church" stories (19:25) Authentic resolution (23:16) Guarding against manipulation (25:36) Most challenging project (29:43) Easter or Christmas Eve (31:51) Impactful communicators (32:30) Recommended resources (34:09) How to follow Robert (36:06) Reaching out to our guest JamRobCar.com (Robert's website) OriginalStoryteller.com (The book's website) @JamRobCar (Facebook) @JamRobCar (Twitter) @JamRobCar (Instagram) Next Episode arrives February 15, 2018! An interview with Rev. Justin Coleman, Lead Pastor at University United Methodist Church (Chapel Hill, NC) Connect with the Show I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels: Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Episode 57: The Original Storyteller - An Interview with Robert Carnes

“Art of the Sermon” is a show for preachers, teachers, and communicators. My aim is to make a show for leaders in ministry–formally or informally, inside or outside the church–who have an interest in preaching/public speaking and church communication. The primary format for this show is the interview. This allows us to engage with a wide-range of guests on many different aspects of preaching, teaching, and communication. While many of the guests are pastors and preachers, I also believe it is important to learn from those outside the profession of preaching who have something to teach us. Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

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Art of the Sermon

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